Ellicott City Car Accident Lawyer

Ellicott City Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents happen every day in Ellicott City and throughout Maryland for many reasons, and it is possible for any car accident to be a life-changing experience for those involved. Recovery from an accident may be more difficult than you expect at first, but you could be eligible to claim more compensation than you might realize. An experienced Ellicott City car accident lawyer can be an invaluable asset for maximizing your recovery as much as the law allows.

Representing Car Accident Victims in Ellicott City, MD

The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, provide legal representation for a wide range of cases spanning family law, criminal defense, and personal injury law. Throughout the years of our firm’s operation, we have successfully represented many car accident victims in their recovery efforts, and we know the unique challenges you could face as you seek compensation for your losses in Ellicott City, MD.

If you believe another driver is responsible for causing your recent accident, do not assume that you will be able to successfully hold them accountable for your damages on your own. It’s possible for many unpredictable factors to complicate any car accident case, and you may have more recovery options available to you than you initially realize. Even if you successfully prove fault, you may mistakenly accept a lower settlement than you deserve.

When you choose the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, to represent you, we can take time to listen to your story and learn the full extent of the effects that your accident has had on your life. We can then develop an individualized recovery strategy that aims for maximum compensation, which may include an auto insurance claim as well as a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver. You can rely on our team to expedite your recovery efforts as much as possible.

Our goal for every car accident victim we represent is maximum compensation for their damages in the shortest possible timeframe. We can aim to streamline all your recovery efforts to reduce the time it takes for you to recover from your losses, and we have the experience and professional resources necessary to resolve the most challenging and contested car accident claims in Ellicott City.

How to Prove Fault for a Car Accident in Ellicott City

Before you can recover any compensation for your damages from a car accident in Ellicott City, you must prove exactly how the accident happened and identify the driver responsible for causing the accident. Maryland law requires firm proof of fault before the victim can claim compensation for their damages through auto insurance and/or a personal injury suit.

Car accidents most commonly occur because of negligence behind the wheel, or failure to exercise reasonable care in specific situations. A few examples of the types of negligence that most often cause accidents in the Ellicott City area include:

• Distracted driving. Whenever a driver becomes distracted behind the wheel, they put themselves and all other drivers around them at grave risk of an accident. Even a few seconds of inattentive driving can result in a devastating collision, and your attorney can help secure cell phone records, traffic camera footage, and testimony from witnesses to help prove the defendant in your case was distracted.
• Speeding. Speed limits are not suggestions, and whenever a driver exceeds the speed limit, they are reducing the time and distance they will have to slow down or stop to avoid a crash. Speeding is not only a top-reported cause of motor vehicle crashes but also a leading contributing factor to the number of fatal crashes reported throughout the state each year.
• Moving violations, such as illegal turns, failure to stop for red lights or stop signs, or failing to yield the right-of-way where necessary. These actions catch other drivers by surprise and can easily result in serious crashes. Traffic camera footage and witness statements are often used to prove liability for accidents caused by moving violations.

Car accidents may also happen because of illegal misconduct, and driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is the most common example of this. When a driver has inflicted a personal injury through any illegal action, they face criminal prosecution from the state along with a civil suit from their victim.

When you choose the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, to represent you, we can waste no time in helping you gather the evidence you will need to firmly establish fault for your accident. However, it is important to remember that if you bear any measure of partial fault for causing this accident, it will bar you from seeking compensation from another driver under Maryland’s contributory fault rule, even if your shared fault is very slight.

Our team will work diligently to gather the evidence you will need to firmly establish liability for your damages. This evidence may include physical evidence from the scene of the crash, statements from witnesses who saw the accident happen and others involved in the accident, traffic camera recordings, and even expert witness testimony if your case involves any complex technical details that require specific professional insights.

Filing an Auto Insurance Claim in Ellicott City

Auto insurance is likely to be your first option for recovering compensation for a car accident that someone else caused. State law requires every driver to have auto insurance coverage that includes several types of liability coverage:

• An individual insurance policy must include at least $30,000 to cover bodily injuries to a single person in an accident caused by the policyholder.
• The policy must extend bodily injury liability coverage to at least $60,000 to cover bodily injuries to multiple people injured in a single accident.
• The auto insurance policy must provide at least $15,000 to cover property damage, such as the victim’s vehicle repair costs.

These coverage requirements may be sufficient to compensate a victim of a minor crash, but if you suffered any severe injuries from your recent accident, then the at-fault driver’s insurance may not be enough to cover your damages fully. It is also possible for the at-fault driver to not have insurance at all.

Although not strictly required by Maryland law, drivers are strongly encouraged to add uninsured motorist coverage to their auto insurance policies. If you buy this coverage, you will be able to file a claim against your own insurance if an uninsured driver causes an accident with your vehicle. If you do not have this coverage and the at-fault driver is either uninsured or has too little coverage to fully compensate you for your damages, you must file a personal injury claim.

Claiming Compensation With a Personal Injury Claim in Ellicott City

After exhausting your recovery options through insurance, you may need to file a personal injury claim against the driver who caused your accident to fully recover your losses. You must first establish that they are entirely at fault for causing the accident; otherwise, you will be unable to claim compensation from them under the state’s contributory negligence rule. Once fault is established, your Ellicott City car accident lawyer can help you claim compensation for:

• Medical treatment costs. The defendant who injured you is fully liable for all medical expenses associated with your injuries. This includes both immediate medical costs following your accident as well as those you are likely to incur in the future if the accident caused any serious damage.
• Lost wages. Your car accident could have left you unable to work while you recover from your injuries. If so, the defendant is liable for the income you were unable to earn during this time. If you have been permanently disabled by your injuries, the defendant is also responsible for the future income you are no longer able to earn.
• Property damage. The defendant is responsible for your vehicle repair or replacement costs as well as the value of any property inside of your vehicle that was damaged in the accident.
• Pain and suffering. The plaintiff in a personal injury case has the right to claim pain and suffering compensation to reflect the physical pain and psychological distress they experienced from the accident. However, state law currently limits non-economic damages in personal injury claims to $935,000. Your Ellicott City car accident lawyer can help maximize this aspect of your case award.

A plaintiff may also receive punitive damages at a judge’s discretion if the defendant broke the law in causing their accident or if their actions exceed the extent of standard negligence. If the defendant is criminally prosecuted for the manner in which they caused the accident, restitution to the victim could be one of the penalties assigned by the sentencing judge.

The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, can provide comprehensive legal representation through all stages of your case, and our goal for your car accident claim is to help recover as much compensation as state law allows in the most efficient manner. You can rely on us to resolve any issues you encounter with the auto insurance claim filing process, and we can build a cohesive personal injury suit for you if necessary to ensure a fuller recovery.

FAQs About Ellicott City, MD Car Accident Lawyer

Is Maryland a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

The state follows the fault rule for vehicle accidents. This means all drivers are required to carry liability coverage with their auto insurance, and the driver at fault for causing an accident faces liability for all resulting damages. Before you can recover any compensation for losses suffered in a car accident in Ellicott City, you will need to prove who caused the accident and gather evidence to show how they caused it.

How Long After a Car Accident Can You Sue?

Recovery from a car accident is likely to begin with a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance, followed by a personal injury claim when their insurance cannot fully cover your damages. You only have a few days after your accident in which to file an auto insurance claim, but there is a three-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims in the state. This time limit begins on the date your accident happened.

Why Should I Hire an Ellicott City Car Accident Lawyer?

While it may be possible for you to pursue recovery from your recent car accident without hiring legal counsel, it is likely to be more difficult than you initially expected. Even if you succeed in proving fault, you would be unlikely to secure as much compensation as an attorney could win for you. Hiring legal representation increases your chance of success and your chance of maximizing your recovery.

What Happens if a Car Accident Is Fatal in Ellicott City?

If you have recently lost a family member in a fatal car accident, it can form grounds to file a wrongful death suit against the at-fault driver. This type of civil case is similar to a personal injury suit in some ways, but Maryland enforces specific rules for wrongful death suits, and it is vital to have experienced legal counsel on your side for this type of case.

What Does It Cost to Hire an Ellicott City Car Accident Lawyer?

The majority of attorneys representing personal injury plaintiffs accept these cases on a contingency fee basis. With this type of billing arrangement, the client only pays a fee if the attorney wins their case, and the fee is a percentage of the total compensation recovered on the client’s behalf. Some attorneys charge by the hour, and you should take time to review a potential attorney’s billing policy before agreeing to their representation so there are no surprises.

The right legal team is an invaluable asset, no matter what your car accident case entails. When you choose the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, PA, to represent you, you are investing in years of professional experience and a responsive legal advocate who will provide valuable guidance through every step of your recovery. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with an Ellicott City car accident attorney you can trust with your case.